On the possibility of Mbappe joining the club Monaco pipped to the Ligue 1 crown in May, Jardim recalled the day “a leading director of a Portuguese club, with whom I had a meeting, said to me: ‘The transfer market is not just made to strengthen your team, but also to weaken your rivals.

This summer Monaco have already sold Tiemoue Bakayoko, Bernardo Silva, Benjamin Mendy and Valere Germain, all key players in their run to the title.

While they appear weakened as a result, they have made a host of new signings, including this week recruiting Algerian international winger Rachid Ghezzal, who was a free agent after leaving Lyon. The transfer window shuts at the end of this month.

“I am waiting calmly for the 31st. I like to make the most of each day…we are here to make the best of Monaco,” added Jardim, whose team visit Dijon in Ligue 1 on Sunday.

Jardim also evaded a question as to whether Mbappe had informed him of a desire to leave the Stade Louis II.

“The players come to talk to me. I have private conversations with all of them. I try to listen to all of them about their objectives and ambitions.

“It is something I try to do about once a month. And it is not just the case for Kylian.”

Jardim and Mbappe

Mbappe has started both of Monaco’s games so far this season, although he didn’t score in the 2-1 Champions Trophy defeat to PSG or in last Friday’s 3-2 win over Toulouse that began their title defence.

So is he disturbed by all the talk about his future?

“The start of the season differs for every player. Every player has a different way of reaching the top of his form. After that, when there is a lot of movement in the transfer market, the players cope with more or less difficulty. But that is how it is.”

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Angel di Maria is being touted as the man to replace Neymar as Barcelona assess their options in light of the Brazilian’s move to Paris Saint-Germain.

According to Marca, Blaugrana are ready to capture the former Real Madrid star before the closure of this summer’s transfer window.

PSG are thought to be looking to raise cash to comply with Financial Fair Play regulations following their world-record swoop for Neymar.

Di Maria, who signed for the Parc des Princes side in 2015 following a disappointing season with Manchester United, has two years left on his current deal in the French capital and insiders believe PSG can recoup the bulk of the £44m they shelled out on the wing talent.

However, it remains to be seen whether Barca will want to buy a player from PSG following the recent bitter negotiations between the two clubs.

Interestingly, Di Maria had an anti-Barcelona release clause inserted into his contract when he left the Bernabeu in 2014 – meaning Real Madrid would take home a hefty slice of a future transfer fee if he signed for Barca – but that contractual obligation expired after three years and now frees up the 29-year-old’s plans.